Iraqi President Urges Parliament to Approve Halabja Governorate Law

Iraq 03:26 PM - 2024-08-19

Halabja Monument and Iraqi Parliament

President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid of Iraq urged Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, the Acting Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, to include the draft law that acknowledges Halabja as an official governorate in the parliament's agenda to ensure that the law is voted on and approved in a timely manner.

In an official letter, President Rashid also expressed gratitude for the Acting Parliament Speaker's efforts in enacting laws that promote development and benefit the people.

He emphasised that passing the Halabja Governorate Bill would be a tribute to the martyrs and a recognition of the sacrifices made by the Kurdish people, and would also a recognition of the tragic events endured by the Kurdish people, including the Halabja massacres, chemical weapon attacks, and the Anfal.

In addition, he urged the parliament members to endorse and vote in favour of the bill recognising Halabja as an official governorate, while expressing his well wishes for their ongoing success and respect.

PUK introduced the bill

Bafel Jalal Talabani, the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), recently visited Iraqi parties and urged their support for the PUK's request to expedite the process of provincialising Halabja. Based on the information obtained by PUKMEDIA, the Iraqi political parties have reached a consensus to endorse the process of granting provincial status to Halabja through their Members of Parliament.

Chro Hama Sharif, a parliamentarian from the PUK faction in Iraq, stated to PUKMEDIA that the PUK introduced the bill on designating Halabja as a province and that the PUK has exerted significant efforts in the past, resulting in the successful completion of the bill's first and second readings.

On March 13, 2024, the Iraqi Council of Ministers finalised the necessary steps to officially establish Halabja as the 19th province of Iraq. The bill is presently in the parliament, pending its third reading.

Upon the bill's ratification, Halabja will be designated as the 19th province in Iraq, officially expanding the Kurdistan Region by one province. From an administrative perspective, Halabja is currently comprised of the centre district of the city and four other districts: Khurmal, Byara, Bamo, and Sirwan. The Iraqi Ministry of Planning has formally sanctioned the geographical limits of Halabja province.

 

 

PUKMEDIA